Concord is a city in North Carolina known for its art galleries, cultural centers, food, museums, and, most importantly, its racing facilities.
The city’s culture is firmly rooted in its enthusiasm for race and race cars.
It is heaven for people who love cars, to the extent that you can enjoy even the experience of driving a NASCAR racing car in Concord.
Even if you are not into cars and racing, Concord will not disappoint you.
It has something for everyone, be it is the best winery or brewery, or the freshest food.
Enjoy a world-class shopping experience, award-winning culinary experience, thrilling driving and hiking experiences, and more in Concord.
For art and history lovers, the city has some of the finest monuments of yesteryear, along with a collection of well-curated museums.
Before visiting Concord, North Carolina, you should know what to do once you get there.
Our compilation of things to do in Concord will help you plan better!
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Every year, millions of people visit the Concord Mills Mall to shop their hearts out.
It is the biggest shopping complex in North Carolina and has over 200 retail outlets.
The Concord Mills Mall gives a complete shopping experience to its visitors, with excellent restaurants, fun activities, and a range of signature shops.
One of these signature shops is Lionel, a retail agency dealing with toy trains.
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It is directly owned by the manufacturer, giving you the best products and prices in its line.
The mall boasts a massive 1.4 million square foot size.
With an aquarium, monster truck, and go-kart riding options, a theater, a mini-golf course, and numerous eateries, Concord Mills Mall is a complete package.
If you are a fan of vintage Mustang cars, you cannot miss the Mustang Owner’s Museum at any cost.
The museum dedicates itself to preserving and promoting the US-built Mustang car heritage.
They have some beautifully restored vintage Mustang cars up for display.
A special mention is the Mustang, which played a significant role in the 1964 New York World Fair.
Apart from restored Mustang models, the museum has a wide range of books, magazines, and videos about this classic car.
The museum is located at 21 Carpenter Ct NW, Concord.
The Cabarrus Brewing Company is one of the best breweries in Concord, NC.
It has an amiable ambiance, and people can be seen enjoying their beers while socializing.
Cabarrus Brewing Company makes some of the finest beers anywhere in the world.
Two of their signature brews are Boll Weevil Brown Ale and Rocky River India.
They are some of the coolest and crispest drafts you will ever taste.
Head over to Cabarrus Brewing Company with friends or alone to enjoy an excellent pint of beer.
Its warm and welcoming atmosphere will make you feel at home in no time.
It stays open all seven days of the week, with varied timings.
It can be found at 329 McGill Ave NW, Concord.
To witness a moment of history in Concord, NW, visit the Bost Grist Mill in southern Cabarrus County.
The mill was constructed back in the 1800s along the banks of the Rocky River.
For a long time, it was the only primary source of flour and cornmeal for all residents in the southern part of Cabarrus county.
It is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
You will be more surprised to know that the mill is still functional and grinds corn and flour.
They have not brought in any modern technology and instead use the same stones and techniques of the 1800s.
For visitors, they have a guided tour of the mill which will acquaint you with its history and legacy.
44 Mills Kitchen & Tap is heaven for food lovers.
It is one of the most iconic restaurants in Concord, NC.
Head chef Mike Watson believes in the goodness of fresh and local produce, and his dishes reflect that vision.
Some must-try dishes include the Mini Ham Biscuits and Brussels and Cauliflower.
The best thing about 44 Mills Kitchen & Tap is that all their products are freshly sourced from local markets.
You will find bread that comes from Charlotte and Pork from Boone.
You’re mistaken if you think that is all that 44 Mills offers.
Their signature is their menu, which changes twice a day.
You will be amazed at how well the chef and his staff deliver great food with two different menus in a single day.
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The 2000-acre complex of Charlotte Motor Speedway is the home to many NASCAR racing events.
They host the prestigious Bank of America ROVAL 400 and the Coca-Cola 600 events.
For many race teams situated in North Carolina, the Charlotte Motor Speedway is their home track.
This venue also hosts World Karting races, swap meets, and car shows.
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It has 30 different racing activities for people of all age groups.
It has a 1.5-mile quad-oval track and the zMAX Dragway, which hosts four-lane drag racing NHRA events.
There is also a 1300-foot oval Dirt Track for dirt races.
The famous World of Outlaws World Finals is hosted here, with 14,000 spectators in the arena.
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The Hendrick Racing Team is legendary in the history of American racing sports.
It is a fan favorite among racing enthusiasts.
You get to enjoy all the activities of Hendrick Motorsport Museum and Team Store for free.
Hendrick’s four NASCAR Cup Series teams prepare for the main events in their state-of-art facility.
It is just one mile away from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
They have on display cars of racers like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson.
The oldest models date back to the 80s when Rick Hendrick made the team.
Get a chance to live your dream of driving a NASCAR race car in Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Here you can drive the cars once operated by Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.
You have to go through a Driver’s Meeting with the Crew Chief and a training and instructions session before you are allowed to drive your own NASCAR racing vehicle.
Enjoy a five-minute racing session with no car to lead.
You can enjoy the adrenaline rush of professional racers as you fly past the racing track.
You can even get a professional instructor to accompany you on your drive.
It is an experience of a lifetime and must not be missed when you are in Concord.
Over many years, Mike Curb, the museum’s owner, has collected cars driven by NASCAR legends.
The illustrious list includes Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Dale Jarrett, Ron Bouchard, and Johnny Sauter.
Mike Curb has another passion – music.
He owns a leading country music record label with artists like Wynonna Judd, Tim McGraw, LeeAnn Rimes, Hank Williams, Jr., and Lyle Lovett.
In the CURB Motorsports-Records Museum, you will enjoy the best of both worlds.
They have NASCAR, Indy, modified race cars, and LeeAnn Rimes’ first car – a 1995 black Dodge Viper for exhibition at the museum.
The auto racing memorabilia has gold record awards, autographed posters, and a collection of photos of many recording artists.
Visit The Smoke Pit in Concord, NC, for an award-winning culinary experience.
The restaurant is famous for its barbecue.
Their signature dishes include ribs, brisket, smoked chicken, and pulled pork.
Their menu celebrates traditional barbecue with the finest chicken wings, thick-cut ribs, and pork sandwiches.
You can also enjoy a wide range of beverages and salads with your meals.
It is a memorable eating experience located in the heart of Concord, at Concord Parkway.
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The Concord Museum is on the first floor of the old county courthouse, in a beautiful part of the city.
The museum is widely known for changing exhibits every four to six months.
But frequent variations have never brought down the quality of the pieces.
Exhibits include memorabilia, historical collections, and a library of antique books, documents, and photographs.
It also has oral histories from all of Cabarrus County in its store.
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Visiting the Concord Museum feels like taking a trip back in time.
In the summer of 2016, the Concord Museum launched The Cabarrus County Oral History Project.
It will gather and preserve oral histories of the communities of Cabarrus County at both societal and individual levels.
They will then share these oral histories with the contemporary Concord community to create awareness about the history of Carabuss County.
Dorton Park is one of the go-to city parks in Concord, famous for its numerous sporting facilities.
Some of their most famous ones here are their tennis courts, soccer fields, and disc golf course, sure to excite all sorts of sports enthusiasts.
Besides this, Dorton Park has a scenic touch, too; many of its areas are covered in greenery, and even a nice creek runs through it.
Complemented with abundant trees, Dorton Park is one of the prettiest places to have a simple walk.
Access this gorgeous city park along Poplar Tent Road.
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Located along Orphanage Road lies one of the most serene places in Concord, Vietnam Veterans Park.
With duck ponds and scenic wooden boardwalks and bridges, Vietnam Veteran’s Park is a majestic respite place.
Its garden and landscaping make it one of the best places to relax and meditate, especially after a busy morning in Concord.
While its trails and ponds make it stand out, Veterans Park also has sports amenities and other recreational activities.
It has a volleyball, tennis, and even a disc golf course if you’re feeling sporty.
Afton Tavern is a beautiful spot in Concord to enjoy a meal, famous for its interiors and ambiance.
With a patio seating area, Afton Tavern is a fantastic place for intimate dates or to hang out with friends.
They serve stellar food, just as good as their aesthetic, whipping up classics like fish n’ chips, burgers, and pasta.
Afton Tavern also has a lot of excellent desserts, as they’re particularly famous for their cookie skillet.
Of course, they also have many innovative and exciting cocktails here.
Find Afton Tavern along John Galtway Northwest.
If you’re looking for something stimulating to do, Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center is an excellent addition to your itinerary.
It’s a famous bowling alley among locals, offering the basics of an excellent bowling center.
However, this isn’t just a bowling alley, as the entertainment center also offers laser tags, bumper car rides, and arcade video games.
It’s a fantastic family destination complemented by a good ambiance and even better service.
You can access Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center along Concord Parkway North.
If you want an adventurous trip in Concord on your two-wheeler, Brown Mill Mountain Bike Trail is something to consider.
It’s a beautifully groomed biking trail that’ll challenge even experienced individuals as they navigate the wilderness with their bikes.
The area has maps and plenty of markers, so this is also a great spot for rookies.
Besides the challenging layout, Brown Mill Mountain Bike Trail also offers scenic views and rich foliage during fall.
If you’re committed, you can access this mountain biking spot along 2nd Street Southwest.
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For a rare, interactive historical and musical tour, visit the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
It is free to enter, but you may consider getting tickets if you expect a rush.
Their interactive displays all around the museum will take you back in time with some of the musical geniuses of North Carolina.
You will find exhibits of legendary artists in the memorabilia and of some of today’s most successful musicians.
If you want to learn about the rich cultural history of North Carolina, this is the place to visit.
Enjoy a musical experience with artists like James Taylor, Randy Travis, and Clay Aiken through the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame’s interactive exhibits.
You can find the place at 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. Kannapolis, NC, right next to the Curb Motorsports Museum.
Both facilities use a shared space.
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Chances are that you have already heard of the NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.
The Dale Trail is a self-guided tour that commemorates the life and contributions of this great personality.
Earnhardt is a legend in racing, having won over 75 races.
The self-guided tour of Dale Trail starts from Cabarrus County Visitor Center.
From there, you can tour 18 different locations that celebrate the life of Dale Earnhardt.
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While visiting the 18 sites, you will come across the vast 900-pound statue of Dale Earnhardt.
You can even enjoy his favorite sandwich in the tour – Dale’s Favorite Sandwich – at Punchy’s dinner.
For every racing fan and admirer of Dale Earnhardt, this guided tour is a must-visit when in Concord.
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The Carolina Thread Trail is a fantastic trail network connecting over 2.9 million people.
More than 300 miles of trail and 170 miles of blueway are open for you to visit.
There are many trails within the network of the Carolina Thread Trail.
One is the Founder’s Trail, which is 2.3 miles long.
It connects the Piedmont Medical Center Trail and Masons Bend Trail while passing across the Catawba River.
The Long Creek Trail, Falcon Trail, and Seven Oaks Preserve Trail are ideal for biking.
The Carolina Thread Trail is a significant project for the people of Carolina, and they are deeply attached to it.
Do not miss a hike or a biking trip through these pristine trails.
Whether it’s nature or museums, Concord has a lot of exciting attractions for you to check out.
NASCAR, racing, and cars are its bread and butter—attracting a niche group of tourists every month.
But even if you’re not into those, Concord has a lot more in-store, as proven in this list.
There is an abundance of things to do in Concord, North Carolina—give it a visit when traveling to Cabarrus County!
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